The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-03-19
Select STORY.
QUITE CURED

| From Chambers Journal.
Major Henderson was the most obstinate
map imaginable. For whole hour Lieu
tenant Mapleson tried to convince him that
it was the hand and heart of Maude Hen
derson for which he was pleading, her
comfortable little fortune being matter
about which he was supremely indifferent.
At the expiration of the hour Major Hen
dersons decision remained unchanged.
"Save thousand pounds as proof of
your attachment to my niece, and l will
give my consent to your marriage with her.
Under no other circumstances will do so. i"
This was the extent to which the Major
would commit himself.
Save a thousand pounds indeed Why,
million would be equally possible to a
man of refined tastes with but paltry two
bundled a year or so besides his pay.
Maude waylaid her lover outside the Ii
brary door. Very pretty she looked as
she listened to dear Jacks angry protesta-
tions, her cheeks flushed, and her brown
eyes filling With tears.
"You will be true to me, my darlingY
pleaded the impecunious Lieutenant, as his
arm stole around her waist and his tawny
moustache pressed her rosy lips.
True to him? Indeed and indeed she
would be-
"You know, dearest, you will be twenty
one in a fortnight's time, and your own
mistress. My sweet one will fly with her
poor, loving Jack then; won't she ?''
"Yes"-rather obviously. 1t was hard
to put aside the prospect of being followed
to the altar by bevy of daintily- -arrayed
bridesmaids, although she was so deeply in
| love-
True, she would soon be ofage, and con-
sequently her own mistress, but what would
that fact avail her if she were miles away
from her lover? And such indeed seemed
likely to be the case, for her uncle carried
her off to a small village in North Wales
the day after Lieutenant Mapleson had
been told of his fate. Of course she left
note behind for 'dearest jack" telling
him the name of the village to which they
were going, and earnestly begging him to
do something" although she could think
of nothing practical to suggest.
On the morning of her twenty-frst birth
day Maude came down to breakfast look
ing fresh, and even little happy. She
had honestly tried to be miserable for a
whole fortnight, and had succeeded for two
days. With youth and health on ones
side it is almost impossible to be thoroughly
out of spirits for any length of time, how
ever much one may be experiencing the
truth of the proverb about ''true love, T"
&c.
The landladys bright-looking daughter
brought in the coffee and rolls "Mrs.
Evans, opposite, has let her front rooms,
miss" she volunteered. ga gentleman all
by himself came and took them last night. "
A gentleman, and alonel Maude's
spirits rose. "Did you happen to hear
Mrs. Evans say what her new lodger is
like? I suppose" added naughty, deceit
full Maude, s'he is an elderly gentleman ?"
sYes, Miss, quite. He's a bit lame, walks
with stick, and has long gray beard.
His names Mr.. Browne"
Maude's spirits fell again. At break
fast, however, she mentioned the new arri-
val to her uncle.
Major Henderson was beginning to find
North Wales a little dull, so he listened
rather readily, thinking that there might
perhaps be a prospect of having some one
with whom to smoke friendly pipe.
In the course of the morning, when the
uncle and niece were sitting in one of the
many beautiful glens in which the neigh
borhood abounds, Maude saw bent figure
approaching, walking with stick.
81 think, uncle, that must be Mr.. Browne,
Mrs. Evans's new lodger," she said.
Her uncle looked up from his book.
"Out Of health, should say" was Major
Henderson's comment. "He doesn't look
old enough to be SO inirm."
When the stranger came up to them he
paused and inquired the way to the Swal-
low Falls.
Maude started That voice Her un-
Gle, however, merely made courteous re-
ply. Evidently his suspicious were not
aroused.
aExcuse me-" continued the stranger,
'ibut have l not the pleasure of addressing
one who is neighbor the time being? /
fancied l saw you come out of Honeysuc-
kle Cottage tLis morning with your daugh-
ter
aYes, sir, you are right-at least my
niece and 1 are staying opposite to you"
aYour niece p and the stranger politely
raised his hat as he glanced at Maude.
aMay inquire if you have been making
long stay in the neighborhocd2 It is
the first time l have visited North Wales,
and should be glad to know Of the prin-